TO ALL MY READERS! (Be sure to indeed read this post)

I have decided to take a Blogging Hiatus for the Summer.

Due to different factors, including, but not limited to the fact that my readership is apparently down, and the time I take to piece some of these together (mainly on one of my other blogs), I think this is the best option for me at this time.

There's chance that I will post once in a while while on this hiatus. But I am looking for this to be once in a blue moon, of sorts. I have a lot on my plate. And I feel that I must remove some of my "activities", with Blogging being one of them. And quite possibly, using Twitter, as well.

I'm hopeful that you all will understand. But it's time to put my family, Summer activities (if any) and above all things, MYSELF first, above the Blogosphere.

Thanks for understanding. And I'll see ya around, my friends.

P.S. ~ I plan on posting this in all four of my pages.

On The Verge Of Letting It Go

It's with a heavy heart that I say that. Because I have put MUCH time and energy in to that blog. I have never made it a "secret" of my belief in the Paranormal or of the things I have personally witnessed and/or experienced.

I've done pieces on various *reportedly and infamously* haunted places. Done writings on various Paranormal topics, and have openly discussed my own experiences or those of my husband and children.

ParanorMel is primarily centered around the topics of ghosts and hauntings. But I have been known to speak of other things such as UFOs and aliens.

Personally, I feel that I have done pretty much everything that I can to "attract" readers and readership. But alas obviously, to no avail.

So, I'm at a point now that if my efforts of piecing together posts on that blog (which CAN and HAVE been tedious to do, depending on need of information or media availability such as videos) are in so-called "vain" then I'm wondering why I'm doing it? It's most certainly not to hear myself talk (so to speak). But to educate others, let others think for themselves and have the opportunity to voice THEIR views and opinions without ridicule or being called nuts or crazy for their beliefs and what they themselves may have experienced within the Paranormal realm.

Honestly, I don't care if you (generally speaking) have a difference of opinion or view. As long as you state your difference in a manner of civility and respectfulness, then I say POST IT and be HEARD. I'm a big girl and I know that I will NEVER always "be right" or will always have people agree with what I see, think and feel about the subject. That's not how life works.

ParanorMel was started as a way to let others see that they are NOT alone in their quest for answers in the world of the "unknown" and as a way for me to document personal experiences of (primarily) myself and of my kids, whom have had experiences of one kind or another since toddler-hood.

I enjoy sharing the stories of experiences with my readers. But when you don't hear from anyone about 99% of the time about what you have written, it's (I feel) time to let it go and move on. And it saddens me that I have come to this point with that blog, seeing as I LOVE journaling there about the Paranormal.

But at what "price" to myself and MY TIME? I take time out of MY day to write posts, some of which CAN and have taken as much as 45 minutes to write, depending on the subject and what media content I wish to place in the piece. And to have my work subsequently 'ignored' 99% out of 100% of the time, to me is obscene and a proverbial "slap in the face" to me and my work.

My time could be better well spent, in all honesty. But I write for various reasons. And in ParanorMel, I write as to give others hope, reassurance, and to see what my "paranormal life" is like.

With that said, I feel that it may be time to "close up shop" over on that blog and call it a day. Thoughts?

***SIDE NOTE... This post will be *duplicated* in to ParanorMel as well.***

Monday Mingling w/Tough Cookie Mommy

Yeah, I thought I would try this Blog Hop out. My Bloggy pal, Tough Cookie Mommy is the glitterific chica that came up with the idea. If you want to check out her blog, TOUGH COOKIE MOMMY, click on the name there in highlight and it will take you right to her.

Below is her direct linkup button for Monday Mingle. You can get to her page through it as well.



For my new followers, I guess I'll do a bit of info about me and mine.

1) I'm an "old lady" (as in married around these parts of the South).

2) I've got three chitlins (that's kids around these parts, mind you).

3) I'm constantly driven crazy by my four...erm..I mean, three kids (being my husband can be just as big a kid as the real ones) as a Stay At Home Mama (Mom or Mommy to everyone else around the country).

4) Chocolate (of pretty much all kinds but German (blech!)) and I have had an ongoing love affair for YEARS. And yes, my hubby is a-okay with it. BONUS!

5) Where my kiddos go to school, I volunteer at least one day a week. More as needed, depending on upcoming activities and planning schedules.

6) You would never think that I was REALLY born and raised in the San Fransisco's East Bay Area of California, seeing as I have more of a Southern nature (and twang in the voice) since I have now lived here for over twelve years.

7) I also Tweet on Twitter, Face up on FaceBook and Pog on Pogo.

8) We have three cats and a (new) Bearded Dragon Lizard. Hopefully soon, we can also add back the almost 40-gallon tank of fish. Between them and the kids (and the hubby) it truly is a ZOO around here!

Now, go have a hoppin' good time over at Cookie's page and LINK UP! I may just do this again next Monday. But with something more than just stupid tidbits about yours truly.

Have a wonderful week, my fellow Bloggers and readers alike!

EDITED..Why I THINK *my* blog's readership sucks..

**ETA** that yes, I did read the blog that now people are starting to Tweet about why people are not reading your blog (WHY NO ONE READS YOUR BLOG). Personally, I do not see where I fit really, within ANY of that posts "criteria".

Now onward with my original post...

True, I know I'm not always the "best" follower/commenter on the blogs that I follow. As a matter of fact, after this is posted, I plan on down sizing the list.

I Tweet and I link my posts to my FaceBook "Like" pages for each of my blogs (most of the time).

Due to personal matters, a busy schedule and stress issues, I'd taken a "blogging hiatus" for about a week. Come back and finally posted, with something POSITIVE. Got a couple comments and a good number of page views. Cool.

Then I posted something that I normally do NOT post. Christian-based posting with Contemporary Christian music videos, seeing as I wanted to share the "pick me up" kind of day that I was having..which for once was REALLY a "good" day.

Then I had posted in my other blog, The "Mental"-ist Mom blog about the effects that the robbery from a week and a half ago had left on my son primarily.

Wait a minute! I think I found what went wrong (or is that "right"?) as to why THAT blog (the latter) got attention... I was complaining or venting. Why? Because I am still LIVID as to what the robber(s) had done psychologically to my children. But my son has taken it the hardest, thanks to his Anxiety Disorder's problems being escalated.

Does this mean that I should always write about negative stuff? Nope. I look at it this way..SOMEONE will want to read POSITIVE things. And I am doing what I can to STAY positive. But I have to be honest..I'm tired of putting forth "commenting efforts" as I can, with no return results. Even by those that have been known to be "regulars" in the past.

Lately, I have commented on a few blog pages of those that I read regularly, but those "regulars" (to me) are being self absorbed within their own pages to not return ANY KIND (seemingly) of comment "love".

Maybe it's me. I don't know. But I can assure you, today, I'm Pre-Spring Cleaning my blog list. And possibly my Twitter list as well. I have even thought of deleting my "Like" pages, seeing as they are a waste of my time to post in and no one really "talks" in there either.

If this post causes me to lose readers, I'm okay with this. If it upsets people, I'm down with that too. If you are extremely upset with what I have said here, then MAYBE you are one of those bloggers/followers/readers/commentators that I'm speaking of.

I don't claim to be Perfect Patty (sorry SLIDE CUTTER! LOL) but I DO try to comment here and there. Even if to just say "I'm sorry this happened" or "What a cute story."... I don't expect long-winded comments, especially since for the most part, I don't give long-winded comments myself.

Heck! I can't even get ONE single Twitter Follower to RE-TWEET something for me, even after practically begging for the RT being that THIS blog has a new URL. That too tells me something.

Oh well. That's life I guess in the Blogosphere...

(Also note that ALL "LIKE" pages on FaceBook have been removed and I have cleaned out my Reader List on Blogger, as well as have down sized my Twitter list as of this writing.)

My blog page...NOTE TO ALL.

I have decided to not blog for a while. Could be a few days, a week or longer. I have my reasons. If you wish to drop/no longer follow me on Blogger, on Twitter, or on FaceBook I'll understand.

*FEATURED* Blogger of the Week (Week 1)

"Featured" Blogger; for a newbie that stirs-up little chills that scoot up, and down, the spine. Suddenly, after sharing your thoughts, experiences, recipes and more, people take notice of you and little doors pop open with smiling faces on the other side. It's very exciting!

My door is wide open in return; you are so very welcome to come inside for a visit. By the way, my name is Patty.

Coffee is ready, served in one of my favorite Robinson Ransbottom mugs and, right over there, on a table, is the rough draft of a book I'm writing called "Another cookie, please!"

What's the book about?

This collection of memories is a bittersweet journey through my late mother's difficult life and later battle with dementia. Ironically, I became the caregiver for that parent who, for years, turned her back on the abuse of her only child. Somehow, I've grown to become an old married lady of 40 years, mother of 3, grandmother of 4 and a fairly productive woman. Then, a few months ago, I entered the world of blogging.

My humble creation can be found here.

http://anothercookieplease.blogspot.com/

What do I do?

Well, as a licensed hairstylist, I have the privilege of being a support specialist to women suffering from cancer, helping them maintain a positive outlook and appearance as they go through treatment and look ahead to recovery. My nickname "Slidecutter" pertains to a style of hair cutting/texturing done with shears specific to that procedure. Just thought that needed explaining..



Where am I from?

Upstate New Yawk...New York for anyone else. We have our own little accent here, in The Empire State and it's true about that "New York minute"; everything we do is at warp speed and 24 hours in a day is never enough!



Why do I blog?

Through the eventual publishing of my little book, and blogging, my hope is to reach out to other caregivers who might be struggling, who are angry and overwhelmed with the consuming task of caring for a loved one afflicted by dementia, other illness or disorder. I don't pretend to be an expert and I'm very candid, even sarcastic, in my opinions at times, especially now that I've gotten past the fear of being judged as I share several personal experiences in my postings; things like dealing with my own ADD, and my son's ADHD. For years, I've managed to deal with the ups & downs of this disorder, focusing on the creative things I love doing most while always fighting that battle to stay organized in other areas.

As I read over blogs from so many kindred spirits, I've been learning to step beyond my own sadness while finding there are so many positive things I can share with others. There is such a wonderful menu of creativity and meaningful posts to choose from; each day brings a refreshing new delight.

You're invited to visit me at http://anothercookieplease.blogspot.com/ , leave a comment and follow if you really would like to do so; if not, thanks so much for stopping here today!

**Message from Missy.. If you wish to be the next "*FEATURED* Blogger of the Week", then please be sure to go and read up on how I'm doing it, and where I obtained the inspiration to do my own Blogger's Feature by CLICKING HERE. Each Sunday, a new Blogger will have the page to themselves (minus this message to coincide lol). Entries must be in no later than the next Saturday.**

Magical Monday With 'For The Love Of Blogs'

It's yet again another beautiful Monday here in bloggy land. Not so much around where I live. It's cloudy and cold. And it looks like more of the white stuff is in my future. No! Not THAT white stuff. Flakes on the ground, not in my hair, silly.

I highly suggest that if you have yet to do so, to join a wonderful, friendly, and well organized blogging community. It's For The Love Of Blogs. Best thing (besides getting your blog out there)? You do *not* have to be a blogger yourself to join. It's also meant to be a wonderful tool for readers to find new blogs to read that are of their interests.

Stop on by today, and tell them that Proudmom (Missy) sent you over. No, I won't get a prize, but I'm sure that they love hearing where others and newbies are coming over from as to scope them out. Just click on the blog button (below) to hop on over to their site.

BUT!! Before you do, if you have a blog or two (or more) that you wish to promote, feel free to also do so here in my linky tool area (also below, at the very bottom of the post).

Have a great Monday, everyone!

I have This New Bloggy Friend...

...Over at For The Love Of Blogs!

She is so very sweet! And loves books and poetry (which is a plus for me!). Also her writings are so eloquent and at times, even mesmerizing. And knowing myself that I am not a poll-kind-of-gal, I surprisingly LOVE taking polls on her page.

AubrieAnne over at Who's Your Editor? is a lovely blogger who VALUES her readers!

Last night as some of us were conversing in her comments section, it came to light (not by me at first) as to her color schemes, fonts and sizes of her blog text. After taking note that some of us (yes, including myself) were suggesting changing some things, seeing as it is hard to read what is written on the page, AubrieAnne entered the GIVEAWAY for a completely new blog design.

She'd even let us see a copy of her entry letter. And then stated that no matter what, she would shut down and have an easier page to read.

THAT my friends is a REAL writer, blogger and TRUE friend in the blogging world.

To listen to what your readers are saying (constructively). To fix a problem that your readers bring attention to, in any way that can possibly do so. To be willing (if you each follow one another) to comment on EACH OTHER'S writings here and there. (Not every day or even weekly..I can make do with once a month!)

Please feel free to stop by and see AubrieAnne over at Who's Your Editor?, especially if you are a lover of books, poetry and have a love for (very) good writing.

New Look For The New Year! Come Take A Peek.

Well, at least this one isn't too complicated to work with. While I have loved the unique design of my blog that I have had for some time now, thanks to CheapskateMom, I felt it was time for a change and to freshen things up a bit to coincide with the new year starting.

As most of my friends know, I am a coffee fanatic. So what better theme to choose than to log on to find a hot, fresh-looking, steamy cup of joe?

At some point today (with the help from my daughter, Hayley) I will be doing the first installment of the Bible Q&A series (that will take place on Wed.'s and Sun.'s). I will be typing out the question and answer WORD FOR WORD from the book, "500 Questions And Answers From The Bible"...If some answers are VERY long (as like with the first post), then I will give my *personal* statements/views on the answers within the COMMENT section.

So with that all said, I shall be back later on today or this evening. Until then, I hope you all like the new look and have a great Wednesday.

Come Hop With Me On New Years!

It's a new year and a new weekend. First of all...

Do you make resolutions? What are they??

Personally, I don't. Because I don't need to lose weight, I live a pretty peaceful life, generally we are financially stable (excluding medical bills). And I know that I won't keep any resolutions that I make.

Now, as usual, it's Weekend Wandering with For The Love Blogs. So be sure to get with them and join the community if you have yet to do so and add your button to their hop.



BUT!! Before you do so, be sure to also ADD YOUR LINK to my link up tool (below).

Just please remember if you participate in MY hop...The *ONLY* stipulation I have is to please LEAVE A *GENUINE* COMMENT here on my page to show that you have read it. Not a copy/paste thing or a "I followed you/follow me back" comment... I am okay with people stating if they came from another blog hop and found me. But I don't play the "followed you/follow me back" game.

**If you cannot abide by that one simple rule for linking on my page, I wish for you to NOT link it at all, nor even leave a COMMENT on my page.

If *anyone* is caught breaking the rules for MY BLOG PAGE and the way I wish to run MY blog hop/link up, then the comment and/or blog link and button will be DELETED.

Now leave your link here, and then get hopping over to FTLOB (via their button) and join in the community and the fun!

Fab Friend Friday, Award Ceremony & New Blog To Share (passing it on!)!!

Grab a cup of coffee, tea or your fave soda and get ready! Lots going on with this one today.

First of all, it's FAB FRIENDS FRIDAY over at For The Love Of Blogs, where you can link up with them and find new blogs to read.





Now as I was going over to one of my good friend's pages to see what was up with her posts on BOTH of her blogs, I noticed that she gave me an {drum roll please}... An AWARD!

Thanks, Donna over at Write Now, Write Later!! Now, I must do these things to get the award..

1. Thank and link back to the person who awarded you this award
2. Share 7 things about yourself
3. Award 15 recently discovered great bloggers
4. Contact these bloggers and tell them about the award!

Haha! And I unknowingly already did the first one. Go me!!

My 7 things..

1) I have mild OCD.
2) I still listen to a lot of 80's and 90's music cuz today's is mostly crap.
3) I crave Subway subs around "that" time of the month and don't rest til I get it.
4) My Dad calls me his Rat. When I sign cards to him, I try to incorporate my second name.
5) I've been on anti-depressants in the past due to Clinical and Post-Partum Depression.
6) There is such a fear in me of spiders, I refuse to get in the shower even if it's TINY.
7) Sometimes I think my name should be "Cinderella".

Now I shall pass the award on to...

1) Dez at Discordant Lullabye
2) Jimmy at Life Is Like A Box Of Smaller Boxes
3) Vic at Freckles & Fudge
4) Ashley at Ashley Plus 3
5) AubrieAnne at Who's Your Editor?
6) {Simply} BC at {Simply} BC
7) Diana at Welcome to My World
8) Tough Cookie Mommy at Tough Cookie Mommy
9) Shell at Things I Can't Say
10) One Cluttered Brain at One Cluttered Brain
11) Eschelle at Mumfection
12) Tonya at Letters For Lucas
13) Kay at Just Hide the Dishes in the Dryer...
14) Facing50Blog at FACING 50 WITH HUMOUR
15) Jane at Adoption of Jane UG-Lbc

Now, I also have a NEW BLOG UP!! It will be where I chronicle my life as a mom with a child with "Silent" Disabilities, what his life is like with having multiple mental disorders and life in general as a family and out in the community.

I don't have a blog button for it, seeing as I suck at doing those. But here is the link to the VERY FIRST post on the page (there's two others already as well for you to read)... The "Mental"-ist Mom. I urge EVERYONE here that stops in to join it and see what life is TRULY like for him and other kids like him. And for us parents of kids in his shoes.

One last thing... BEFORE YOU LEAVE HERE!!... Feel free to LINK UP (below) seeing as it's a 'blog hop' day and I like helping FTLOB out, and my fellow writers. READ BELOW FIRST *BEFORE* linking.. And have a great weekend.

The *ONLY* stipulation I have is to please LEAVE A *GENUINE* COMMENT here on my page to show that you have read it. Not a copy/paste thing or a "I followed you/follow me back" comment... I am okay with people stating if they came from another blog hop and found me. But I don't play the "followed you/follow me back" game.

**If you cannot abide by that one simple rule for linking on my page, I wish for you to NOT link it at all, nor even leave a COMMENT on my page.

If *anyone* is caught breaking the rules for MY BLOG PAGE and the way I wish to run MY blog hop/link up, then the comment and/or blog link and button will be DELETED.

I hope you understand. Thanks.. Now get hopping and linking, everyone!

Some People Make Me Want To Bang My Head On The Desk...(Blog Hop Stuff)

What part(s) of the following do people apparently NOT get when I post this??...

"The *ONLY* stipulation I have is to please LEAVE A *GENUINE* COMMENT here on my page to show that you have read it. Not a copy/paste thing or a "I followed you/follow me back" comment... I am okay with people stating if they came from another blog hop and found me. But I don't play the "followed you/follow me back" game.

**If you cannot abide by that one simple rule for linking on my page, I wish for you to NOT link it at all. I hope you understand. Thanks.."

You will find this one my posts that I add my Linky Tools link up button to. And that is only maybe (now) twice a week to run in time with For The Love Of Blogs as to give them more exposure and to further help out my fellow bloggers from that community and other places within the blogosphere.

I don't "have to" add the tool to any of my blogs. I do it because I want to and I like helping others to gain more readers. Not just myself.

Thanks to "link and run" types of "users and abusers" of the link up ability to my page, I removed it. Then decided to bring it back here and there. Then, I felt that I wanted to help Vic and Ashley at FLOB by also doing a link up capability on the posts I run to show case them and two of their blog hops I'm involved with.

So now, I will say it this way from now on in ALL FUTURE blog hop posts that I provide a link up tool for others to add to...

"The *ONLY* stipulation I have is to please LEAVE A *GENUINE* COMMENT here on my page to show that you have read it. Not a copy/paste thing or a "I followed you/follow me back" comment... I am okay with people stating if they came from another blog hop and found me. But I don't play the "followed you/follow me back" game.

**If you cannot abide by that one simple rule for linking on my page, I wish for you to NOT link it at all, nor even leave a COMMENT on my page.

If *anyone* is caught breaking the rules for MY BLOG PAGE and the way I wish to run MY blog hop/link up, then the comment and/or blog link and button will be DELETED.

I hope you understand. Thanks.."...

Now, do you all think that THIS will make it clear? Especially if you have actually READ FTLOB's "rules" about blog hopping and leaving comments on other's blogs. They also *DO NOT CONDONE* copy/paste comments or the "followed you/follow me back" comments and also feel it is TACKY as well as RUDE.

If these things keep happening on my blog, then I will put an END TO PROVIDING a link up/blog hop on my blog page.

Mix & Mingle With Me At The Magical Monday Blog Hop!

It's Monday! And what better way to start off the week than with For The Love Of Blogs and their Magical Monday Blog Hop!?




FTLOB is a great community for blog writers and blog readers can collide in harmony and find new and exciting bloggers to follow.

If you join, tell them Proudmom sent you on over. I won't get anything for it. But at least they will know where the masses are coming from.

First, before you place your link in to their Blog Hop tool, feel free to also place yourself here on MY linky tool below.

The *ONLY* stipulation I have is to please LEAVE A *GENUINE* COMMENT here on my page to show that you have read it. Not a copy/paste thing or a "I followed you/follow me back" comment... I am okay with people stating if they came from another blog hop and found me. But I don't play the "followed you/follow me back" game.

**If you cannot abide by that one simple rule for linking on my page, I wish for you to NOT link it at all. I hope you understand. Thanks...**

Let's Wander Around a bit!

If you have yet to do so, I highly suggest you hop on over to For The Love Of Blogs. It is a (beyond) wonderful community of fellow bloggers from around the world, where we can come together and support one another, read one another's work, make new friends and get exposure for ourselves as well.

Better yet? You do *NOT* have to be a blogger to join their site! You can join just to be able to read other's pages, add them to your list of reads and join in communicating with others.

So, I encourage you to go and check out the...





But first, please feel free to add YOUR blog link here to this link-up tool (below) before you leave me.

The *ONLY* stipulation I have is to please LEAVE A *GENUINE* COMMENT here on my page to show that you have read it. Not a copy/paste thing or a "I followed you/follow me back" comment... I am okay with people stating if they came from another blog hop and found me. But I don't play the "followed you/follow me back" game.

**If you cannot abide by that one simple rule for linking on my page, I wish for you to NOT link it at all. I hope you understand. Thanks...

Monday Hopping!

Come on over and see me over at For The Love Of Blogs and join in their Monday Blog Hop. Just click on the button [below] and it will take you on over to their Monday Hop post. Scroll down and enjoy finding new blogs and new friends.




Also, feel free to ADD YOUR BLOG to my Blog Hop area below as you ready to leave. Have a great week everyone!

Get To Steppin'!..er, I Mean Get To Hoppin'!!

Here is one blog hop I truly do love!! And I love Vic and Ashley (who run the show) over there. They provide a wonderful blog area to host bloggers from ALL genres of writing, and promote support within the blogging community.

If you are looking for support, help, new blogs to read, and more readers for your blog page, then "For The Love Of Blogs" IS the place to be!!

Blog Hopping Etiquette

Ok, I'm just going to throw this out here. And yeah, it may piss a few peeps off. But do I care? Nah! Not really. If you read me regularly and know me well enough, you know I don't sugar coat and I shoot from the hip.

I've been with Blogger for a year now. Yay me!!...*Okay, celebration over.*

And before then, I was blogging through CafeMom or MySpace. Don't look for me at either, seeing as I don't go to those anymore. Especially not to blog.

There is a new Blogger page aptly named 'For The Love Of Blogs'. So far, so good. I have now found another wonderful lady to follow. I love the title, too! She named it 'Just Hide The Dishes In The Dryer'. Believe me, there are days I wish that I could!

On Monday's, 'For The Love Of Blogs' does a Blog Hop. I'm down with that. Heck, I even posted BOTH of my blogs up on there in the hopes to get a few hits.

After commenting on my newly found blog page that I instantly liked, I was kind of taken aback. Not surprised, really. Just disappointed.

Yes, in my comment I did state something about the post that I had read. And yes, I also let the blog author know that I am now following her and that I found her on 'For The Love Of Blogs'.

But there is one thing that I did not say. Nor have I ever said it on another's page. And I will NEVER say it... "I'm following you. Please follow me back".

Excuse me? That is just tacky as hell! And I find it rude. I will NOT follow you when you come to MY page and "beg" me to follow you just to be another reader's notch in your damn blogging belt.

I will follow someone *IF* I like their content, their page set up, the subject(s) that they write about and/or that I can relate to and how well thought out that the content is in it's written form.

But if you (generally speaking) come on to *my* blog and get tacky like that, I can guarantee you 100% that I will *not* follow your page, and I WILL let you know that I will NOT and give my reason why.

I may not have that many readers/followers here or at my secondary blog, 'ParanorMel'. But I have followers that came on their own, without any begging from me. If they wish to follow my blog(s) then they will. If not, then so be it.

To beg for followers of your page is like being a lawyer that is deemed to be an "ambulance chaser" to just make a few bucks and up his name in the community some more.

Believe me. That lawyer's name WILL be better known. But for the wrong reasons.

Judging A Book By Its Cover...In This Case, Blog Posts.

Judgment. We all do it at some point in our lives. We may judge a person just by their looks or behavior. We might judge a place, just by secondhand "word of mouth" and decide to NOT go and look for ourselves. Or we judge a book, article or post by it's title, and refuse to read it because we automatically assume it's viewpoints are of a disgusting nature. And in turn, we once again base our opinion of not only the subject within the post, but we tend to judge the author as well.

This very thing happened with the previous post here on Homemaker Diary. Because someone had misread and in turn, misinterpreted the title to the post, taking it that I TRULY do believe in the nature as what the title "sounded like", I was made out to be a racist, controversy-seeking moron. When in fact, I am FAR from that "truth". And the post was named what I chose as to drive home a point. NOT to state what I truly felt.

If I honestly believed in the fashion that I had chosen for the title of my previous blog entry, then the "..." would not have surrounded the title's name. Hence I would have stated that I did indeed think/feel in that manner. But, I used the "..." to show the audacity of such a statement and show what I was about to write about.

Sadly, someone misconstrued the title with the ".." around it to mean that it was the title to the blog it's self and the statement that I really do think in the fashion of the title. And this person was only half right. And being that they flat out decided to not read the post in it's entirety, they missed out on the TRUE meaning and reflection of the post at hand. If anything, my post was speaking AGAINST such a statement. Towards ANY race/color.

If this person had swallowed their pride and not gone off half cocked, then maybe, just MAYBE they would have in the end agreed with me. Even after posting the main points from the blog its self, they still refused to read it. All because they decided blindly on the title's name.

If you wish to check out the post in reference, CLICK HERE.

This is what is wrong with the world today, in my opinion. And no, I am not innocent. Not by any means. To say otherwise would be stating an all out lie. ALL OF US are too quick to judge in this world. From skin color, to people with disabilities, to literally judging books (or in this case, blog posts) by their covers.

I lived my life with judgment all around me. Because of something I could not help. I looked different from my peers. I was not mentally challenged in any form of the word. But because I slightly looked different, with a trache in my throat, it left me open to automatic judging. Even by adults!

This is why I cannot stand ANY KIND of intolerance of any kind.Be it racial, ethnic, physically or mentally challenged, and a host of others. When you automatically "ASS"ume (which makes an ass out of U & ME) about a person, place or even an article BEFORE getting to know them or read the material, it doesn't make the offended look bad. It makes the offender look closed-minded and depending on the case, looking like a bigot and a hypocrite.

Personally, I would much rather read the article/post or get to know the person or place for MYSELF, **BEFORE** passing judgment upon it/them or making my opinion known. To do so leaves you looking less like a jackass.

This is for ANYONE, not just my "regular readers" for future reference...If you have nothing nice to say, being you are too closed-minded and/or scared to read something, be it here or on any other blogs, then here is a suggestion for you (and you the guilty, know who you are)...DO NOT SAY A WORD. Being you wish to predict what the post/article is about BEFORE reading it (if you choose to do so at all), and in turn closing yourself off to other's points of view, only to stay within your comfort zone I call Fantasy Island and not possibly gain a different perspective about the world around you.

Blog Mortality

Lately, I have been seriously thinking. Thinking of what to do, when it comes to the blogging world.

There are two blogs that I write. This one, which is my main posting area. Then, I also have a "sideline" blog for the topic of the Paranormal, aptly named ParanorMel.

For the most part as of late, I write, and I write, and I write. Yes, primarily for myself. Just to get out what I want to or that I need to. As for ParanorMel, it is for those wishing to know that they are not alone, can relate to others and feel free to share their stories without societal persecution.

But the more I think about it, the more I see and compare, I think that my blogging days are coming to a standstill.

I'm wondering what the use is, anymore. Is it the fact that I don't blog on practically a daily basis? Is it because I don't hop on to every single Blogging Carnival out there? Is it because I don't comment on EVERY page I read?

I don't do cliques of any kind. I will have a buddy's back in their hour of need. And I will stand up for the underdog. But I don't care to always do or have the 'in' thing, be in the 'in' crowd. I love doing my own thing. And that also comes in to play within the writing world.

My great-grandmother was a famous Chicago Christian-based playwright. I have Mae Questel in my lineage, whom provided the original voice of Betty Boop. I've also got Jean Harlow and President Theodore Roosevelt within my bloodlines. So what? I am certainly happy and proud of my heritage. But they do NOT make me who I am.

If blogging means keeping up with the Jones' in regards to Blog Carnivals and mass commenting to "get noticed" or read, then the TRUE meaning and art of blogging has gone to the wayside.

It should never be about who has the better blog posts, the better blog layout, and all the other hullabaloo I have witnessed in my time around here, since about November of last year.

I've seen where some say that they don't run in cliques and don't do 'one-sided' things when it comes to blogging. But I'm sorry to say, I noticed. And yes they are in these 'cliques', though I don't think their eyes are open enough to really see. But I and others do.

As for fighting between to 'adults' in the blogging world? I stay the hell away. I have my own problems. In the real world mind you. So what good does it do for me and my blood pressure to jump in the middle of a cat fight? Not any good at all. For all parties involved. I say let them two have at it, remain neutral and state that you REFUSE to get pulled in.

Now, seeing as I am pretty sure that this post to will get brushed under the rug (as in not even read), let alone even validated by another's words (I'm NOT talking about Angel or Alexes y'all), I'm coming to a point of where to go from here.

Is The (Not Always) Happy Homemaker Diary and ParanorMel going to survive and move on to the next post? Or should I cut my losses, and realize the fact that I put too much time and energy in to these two blogs, that they should just be killed off?

I'm more active at the school now, then before. My kids and my home take priority. As does my husband. Plus we have a trip and the holidays coming up.

Is it all really worth it anymore? This will be a hard decision, being that I *really* do enjoy writing. But at what cost?

Got a small beef with blog followers (from ANY blog).

Just out of curiosity...

Do you 'drop' a blogger from your list of reading ventures due to their not writing a post basically on a daily basis?

Do you, if you blog, write on your blog page(s) on a daily basis, a few times or once a week? Or do you blog when the mood to moves you?

I'm wondering if a (now former) follower dropped me being that it was almost a week or so between posting blog posts. I don't really care that they did so. But it popped in my head that I must not be writing enough to suit their reading taste.

Well, lets take a really good look at my blog and break it down, shall we?

Look at the name of my blog... 'The (Not Always) Happy Homemaker Diary'. Operative word here? HOMEMAKER. Which means that I am a STAY-AT-HOME wife and mother.

I have one husband and I have THREE kids. And those children (through this weekend) are on SUMMER VACATION from school. Which means three kids that need to have MY attention as needed BEFORE anything else.

Plus if you notice, I have written many times in the past about my son, who is a SPECIAL NEEDS child that requires more attention and time consumption than most 'average' kids.

Plus, I have to take care of the home, hence the HOMEMAKER part of my blog name. Laundry, dishes, vacuuming, sweeping, cleaning out cat boxes (being we have three of them) and any other jobs that need to be done around here.

Now, if you have read the blog entry from YESTERDAY, you will also know that I am gearing up to once again volunteer at my kids' school (hopefully) three days a week, if not more. I'm quite possibly being 'promoted' to Co-Volunteer Coordinator. Which means quite possibly more time at the school, as well as 'working' from home.

Plus I will be on not just one, but two Parent Advisory Boards for not only the school, but for my school's district.

So, when you add all of this together, it makes for MUCH less time typing up blog entries. And if you are looking for daily, or semi-daily bloggers, then I am NOT your girl. Especially with school starting.

Also, I have a secondary blog called ParanorMel that delves in to the realm of the Paranormal. Primarily with ghosts/spirits and hauntings. Even that blog gets posted to, maybe, I'd say once a week to every two weeks. It all depends on if I had a personal experience happen, if there is a topic in my head that I wish to cover, or if I found a video and/or article that I found interesting enough to share.

But also, I do NOT see my followers dropping me there. And they know I WILL post. Just not more than MAYBE twice a week. Or for as long as every two weeks.

With that said, I hope that you will stick with me and watch for new posts in the future. At this point in time, you might never know when I will write about my adventures in life, marriage and raising my kids.

Just know that I WILL BE around. Just not as often. I find it sad that some people base their reading on the fact of how often a person posts entries. It should be based on QUALITY of the work. Not on QUANTITY in the numbers of posting.